Author's Text

Well, welcome to another edition of "As the Ross Family Turns"...things are starting to happen with the family now and that means more changes. The title of this one could be derived either from "The War of the Roses" or "The Clash of the Titans" but either way, you get the idea.

Football season will soon come to a close and football games have been my constant companion during all this writing this fall. But don't fret! The end of football does not mean the end of writing! Tori found a way to hook up my old vinyl spinning record player and I've dragged out all my fave records out of the dust to use for inspiration now! Boy, are you guys in trouble! LOL!

The characters in this story are not mine and no money is made by me for the use of them in this story.

"Project C.A.R.E."

"The Clash of the Rosses"

Opening Act

Scene opens at C.A.R.E. Center, interior, daytime. Show Doug Ross standing alone by the front desk reading over a patient file. He is clad in blue jeans, a blue scrub top and a black t-shirt. Pan back for a broader view of the room. Show Carol Hathaway working at a supply cabinet behind him. She is stocking supplies and pulling them off the cart beside her. She is wearing pink nurses scrubs. Show Doug keeping a careful watch on what Carol is doing out of the corner of his eye. She catches him watching her and rolls her eyes, but, doesn't make a big deal out of it. Cut to show John Carter coming down the inside steps from his apartment. He is wearing nice slacks, a striped shirt, a tie and a lab coat. He comes into the Center cheerfully.

Carter:
Good morning!

Doug (looks up):
'Morning, Carter.

Carter (quietly...standing beside Doug):
Am I over dressed for this place?

Doug (gives Carter a once over):
Nah, you're fine.
(Carter nods but doesn't comment)
I wore a tie for years...
(slaps file shut and lays it on the counter)
Now I don't have to...so I don't! But, you're fine.

Carter (looks over mail):
Dr. Greene working today?

Carol (comes across the room to join them):
I think he's coming in later...Eleanor will be here, though.

Carter watches in casual amusement as Doug steps away from the counter and goes about working in another part of the room.

Carter (quietly to Carol):
Something going on between you and Dr. Ross?

Carol (rolls her eyes):
We had a little disagreement...he lost an argument...I think he's still a little miffed.

Carter (nods with a smile):
Oh, is that all?

Carol (grunts):
Huh...with Doug that's never 'all' there is to it.
(Carter chuckles)
He'll be fine...he just has to pout for a while.

Carter:
Anything I can help you with?

Carol (shakes her head):
No...
(pauses...smiles)
We're going to make a formal announcement after I go for the first ultrasound, but, I'm pregnant.

Carter (smiles enthusiastically):
Congratulations!
(he gives her a careful hug)

Carol (hugs him back):
Thanks.

Carter:
So, is that what you are Dr. Ross are fighting about?

Carol:
Let's just say Doug is a little overprotective right now. And the bad news is, he's probably going to get worse.

Carter (chuckles):
Well, maybe Dr. Greene will talk to him.
(they are interrupted by the phone ringing. Carter picks it up quickly)
County Care! Dr. Carter speaking!

Split screen to show Shawna Murphy on the other end of the phone in a panic.

Shawna:
John! Thank God you're there! I need you!

Carter (smiles):
Well, I'm flattered, but, I'm working today!

Shawna (rolls her eyes):
No, I mean I REALLY need you. My sitter just called in sick! My mother will keep Daylin for me, but, she can't get here for an hour! I have a client breakfast I HAVE to keep! Can I drop Daylin off there at the Center with you?

Carter:
Can you hold on just a second?

Shawna (nodding):
Sure...Daylin! No! Put that down!

Carter puts her on hold and turns to Carol, who is looking over the register book from the day before at the desk.

Carter:
This is Shawna...she needs to know if we can keep Daylin here for about an hour until her mother can get here and take him?

Carol (gives him a blank look):
It's OK with me, but, you better check with Doug...
(looks up across the room to where Doug is working)
Doug?

Doug (turns shortly):
Yeah?

Carter:
Shawna needs to know if she can leave Daylin here for about an hour until her mother can pick him up...will that be a problem?

Doug (comes over and joins them at the desk now):
Who's going to watch him?

Carter:
Well, I will...unless I'm with a patient and then just whichever one of us is free?

Carol (helpfully):
Eleanor will be here, too...it shouldn't be a problem.

Doug (nods):
It's OK with me.

Carter (punches back into the phone call):
Shawna? No problem...go ahead and bring the little guy in.

Shawna (relieved):
Thanks, John! I owe you one!

Carter goes into a private aspect of the phone call and Doug and Carol step away so as not to intrude on it.

Carol (quietly):
So, are you all over your little tiff now?

Doug (ticks his head):
I'm not sure...did you give anymore thought to what we talked about?

Carol (emphatically):
Doug, I am only two months pregnant! I am not even going to consider not working at this point.

Doug (defensively):
I didn't say not work at all...I just asked you to be more careful what you do around here.

Carol (scoffs):
That wasn't what it sounded like to me.

Doug (ducks his head):
Then, I didn't present it very well.

Carol (giggles):
Well, do you ever?

Doug (sighs):
Not lately.

Carol (kisses his cheek lightly):
It's OK...I forgive you...
(pause)
Did you talk to Scott about Treavor this morning?

Doug (winces):
Damn! No! I forgot! Did you say anything to him?

Carol:
I just told him Treavor was welcome at our house after school, but, that he couldn't go to his.

Doug:
And that was OK?

Carol (rolls her eyes):
I dont think so. I think we're probably going to go through last night again.

Doug (nods):
Well, I'll talk to him.

Carol (carefully):
You need to do more than talk to him, Doug. You need to set some guidelines for him. You need to stop being his friend and start being his father about some things.

Dog (confused):
I'm not sure I follow you.

Carol (sighs):
You're his father, Doug...not his best bud! I mean, I think it's great that you guys are pals, but, sometimes he needs a firmer hand than you take with him. He needs to know who the boss is.

Doug (scoffs):
Ah, he's a good kid...he doesn't need me to get tough...

Carol:
I don't mean for you to 'get tough' so to speak, but, I do think you need to take a little more control sometimes.

Doug (nods):
We'll talk about this at home, OK? This is not the time or the place I want us to discuss this kind of stuff, OK?
(Carol nods)
Hey...
(smiles...lifts his mood)
...I love you.
(he kisses her forehead quickly)

Doug winks at her and steps away to get ready to open the clinic door. Show Eleanor coming in the back staff door and Doug waves a greeting to her. The staff gets things in order to start the day and fade into the opening credits of the show.

Act One

Scene opens at C.A.R.E. Center. Show Shawna Murphy coming into the Center with her two year old son, Daylin, in tow. As soon as Carter sees them come in, he comes around the counter and goes to them.

Daylin (reaching):
Up, Daddy!

Carter and Shawna are both completely taken aback by this, but, Carter leans over and picks the little boy up quickly.

Shawna (makes a face):
I guess we'll have to explain to him that you're not his Daddy! He just sees you more than any other man...I guess it's only natural...

Doug (offering):
All kids call every man they see 'Daddy' when they're Daylin's age.
(smiles)
He'll be fine. Don't worry about it.

Carter (bounces the little boy on his shoulder):
I wasn't worried...
(gives Shawna a serious look)

Shawna (nervously):
Well, I've got to get to my meeting.
(kisses Daylin quickly)
You be a good boy for John, OK?

Daylin (waves bye-bye):
Bye, Mommy!

Shawna (kisses him again):
Oh, bye, Baby! I love you.
(kisses Carter's cheek)
Thanks, John...

Shawna exits quickly. Carol stands beside Doug watching her go.

Carol (quietly):
I need to talk to her about how she manages to go off and leave that little guy...I may need to know that later...

Doug:
In what? About nine more months?

Carol (grins at him):
I was thinking more like a year...I don't plan to work for several months after the baby is born.

Doug (nonchalantly):
If not before...

Carol (cautioning):
Don't start, Doug...we just got over that argument...

Eleanor (breaking their conversation by holding out the phone):
Phone call from St. Michael's school for Dr. or Mrs. Ross?

Carol (rolls her eyes):
Oh, God...
(to Eleanor)
Does she say which child it's about?

Eleanor:
It's about your son...

Carol (smiles at Doug):
I'd say you can handle that one...

Doug rolls his eyes and takes the phone. We hear only his one side of the conversation.

Doug:
This is Dr. Ross...uh huh...yes, Sister...I understand. Yes, I'll be right there.

Eleanor and Carol both wince as Doug bangs up the phone angrily.

Doug (gruffly):
Carter, you need to cover for me for a while...I have to go down to the school...

Carol (concerned):
Something wrong?

Doug:
My son was caught with undesirable music...

Carol (confused):
What does THAT mean?

Doug (sarcastically):
That means I have to go down to the school and let Sister Mary Agnus tell me what a bad father I am! Care to send her any cue cards of your own?

Carol (defensively):
I never said you were a bad father...

Doug (angrily, storming out the back door):
No, you just said I wasn't a good one...same thing!

Doug goes out the door, slamming it behind him. Carol winces as the door slams, Eleanor and Carter exchange careful looks. Carol turns around to see them both looking at her and her emotions get the best of her.

Carol (quietly...on the verge of tears):
Excuse me...I'll be right back.

She goes down the hallway to the ladies room and go in, closing the door behind her and leaning against the wall, fighting to hold back her tears.

Carol (mutters aloud):
Oh, Damn! I hate these damn mood swings...

Cut to a Catholic School office across town. Show Doug come in and stop with the receptionist at the front desk quietly.

Doug (taking his jacket off):
I'm Doug Ross...I'm here to see Sister Mary Agnus...

Receptionist:
Oh, you must be Scott's father!

Doug (nods):
Yes, that's me.

Receptionist (picks up the phone):
Dr. Ross is here, Sister Mary Agnus.
(hangs up the phone and smiles at Doug)
She says you can come right in.

Doug (nods):
Thank you.

Doug goes into the Sister's office and finds the Nun sitting behind her desk. Scott is also in the room with her, sitting in a chair on the other side of the desk. He does not look happy and is sitting slumped against the back and sides of the chair.

Doug (taps Scott's shoulder lightly):
Hey, Kiddo...what's going on with you, huh?
(reaches his hand to Sister Mary Agnus)
Good Morning, Sister...

Sister:
Good Morning, Dr. Ross. I'm very sorry to trouble you, but, we do have rules at this school.

Doug (nods):
I understand, Sister. What seems to be the problem?

Sister:
Scott was listening to music we consider to be undesirable at this school...

Doug (tries to break the tone of the mood):
I'm guessing it's not Hanson he's listening to, huh?

Sister (frowns):
I hardly think so.
(she reaches into her desk drawer and pulls out two cassette tape and hands them over to Doug)

Doug (looks at the tape):
Bone, Thugs, & Harmony?
(looks at Scott out of the corner of his eye. Scott shrugs)
And The Spice Girls?

Sister:
Now, Dr. Ross...whatever you allow your son to listen to at home is, of course, your business...but while he is in this school, it becomes my business...

Doug (nods in agreement):
Oh, I understand that, Sister...I don't have a problem with that at all...but I can assure you he doesn't listen to this at home, either. I know I didn't buy them...
(Gives Scott a careful look)
...these tapes obviously belong to someone else.

Sister:
Well, you know what they say, Dr. Ross...possession IS nine tenths of the law.

Doug (nods):
Yes, I understand. So, what do we do about this?

Sister (smiles at Scott):
Scott, would you wait outside, please? I need to speak with your father privately.

Scott doesn't say anything, just gets up swiftly and starts out of the room in a huff, but, Doug calls him back just as he gets to the door.

Doug (sternly):
Hey! You have better manners than that, what do you say?

Scott (sarcastically):
Yes, Sister.

Scott rips open the door and storms on out of the room. Doug shakes his head as he turns back to Sister Mary Agnus.

Doug:
I'm sorry, Sister. I don't know what's gotten into him lately, but, I'll certainly have a talk with him.

Sister (carefully):
Dr. Ross, please don't think I'm prying, but is everything all right at home?

Doug (smiles...knows what she's getting at):
Yes, Sister...everything is fine at home.

Sister (offering):
Well, Scott is a good student. He never gives any of his teachers any trouble. He's usually a very well behaved child. When children like that suddenly display adverse personality patterns, it usually means there is a problem somewhere.

Doug:
Sister, believe me when I tell you the only problem my son is experiencing right now is the beginning of puberty. I will talk to my son. That's the best I can offer you right now.

Sister (nods):
Well, remarkably, Dr. Ross, that's more than a lot of parents will give me. If I can help in any way, please don't hesitate to let me know. Will you do that?

Doug (nods):
Absolutely.

Sister (rises for Doug to leave):
Thank you so much for taking time to come. I know you're a very busy man, but, I think it says a lot that you take the time to come.

Doug (smiles):
My son is important to me, Sister. I'm never too busy.

Doug shakes hands with Sister Mary Agnus again and walks out of her office. Scott is waiting in the front area, sitting slumped in a chair and looking dejected. Doug goes over to him and takes him by the arm, pulling him quickly to his feet.

Doug:
Come on...we're going to have a few words before you go back to class.

He takes Scott into the hallway where they can talk more privately and thrusts the tapes in front of his face.

Doug (demanding):
Where did you get these tapes?
(Scott shrugs)
Spice Girls I can live with, but Bone, Thugs, & Harmony? Come on, Scott! You know I'd never let you have that in the house with Tatiana around...

Scott:
Well, why do I have to sacrifice just because there's a little kid in the house?

Doug (ignores his remark, demands again):
WHERE did you get these tapes? From Treavor?
(Scott shrugs)
OK, you don't want to talk to me now, that's fine...you can go on back to class. But, we WILL talk about this later and that much I promise you...do you understand me?
(Scott shrugs and turns to start away...Doug gruffly pulls him back)
Hey, what do you say to me?

Scott (sarcastically):
Yes, SIR!

Doug (softens just a bit...concerned):
What's going on with you, Scotty? This isn't like you...this music...this attitude...what's with you, huh?
(Scott shrugs)
OK...we'll talk about it later. I want you to come straight home from school, OK? And stay home until I get there, OK? I won't be working late tonight. We'll talk about this, OK?

Scott (shrugs):
Sure, Dad...whatever you say.

Doug stands with a confused look and watches as Scott goes down the hall to go back to class. Doug pulls into his jacket, puts the tapes in his pocket, and heads out of the school to go back to work.

Cut to show Carol holding the tapes in her hands back at the C.A.R.E. Center and giving Doug a shocked look.

Carol:
Bone, Thugs, & Harmony! Where in the world did he get this?

Doug (shakes his head):
I have no idea...I was hoping you might know?

Carol:
My only guess is Treavor...I'm telling you, Doug, that kid is bad news. I think Mama is really right about him...

Doug (scoffs):
Your Mother didn't used to like ME either, remember? Come on! You can't judge a kid like that. We don't really even know him...

Carol:
Well, I know he's a latch key kid. And I know the one time I tried to talk to his Mom she pretty much told me to mind my own business and that I was smothering my kids.

Doug:
Well, everybody has problems.

Carol:
Well, that's true, but, I don't have to let her problems turn into MY problems. I really don't think this Treavor kid is a good influence on Scott.

Carter (picks up tape and looks at it):
Bone, Thugs, & Harmony, huh? Isn't that kind of rough?

Carol (scoffs):
That would be putting it mildly...I have enough trouble worrying that Tatiana will hear the "F" word from Doug without having to think she's going to hear it in her brother's music...

Doug (gives her a sarcastic look):
Well, we'll talk to him about it later. Right now, I think we better get to work...

The turn to go back to work...fade Act One to Black.

Act Two

Scene opens at C.A.R.E. Center with the crew in full swing working. Show Mark Greene come in the back staff door and hang up his jacket. Then he makes his way over to the front desk.

Mark (announcing):
Hey! I'm here!

Doug (hands him several charts):
Great! Get to work!

Mark (sarcastically):
'Why good afternoon, Mark...how has your day been?'... 'why, fine, thank you, Doug...'

Carter (cautiously):
I'd be careful if I were you...he's having a bad day.

Carol (nods):
He got called to the school...

Mark (grimaces):
Who's in trouble?

Carol (hands Mark the cassette tapes):
Scott.

Mark (looks over the tapes):
So, did he steal the Spice Girls from Doug or would that just be a poster he'd get there?

Carol (quietly):
That's not funny, Mark.

Mark (nods):
OK...you're right...I'm guessing Scott got these from somebody at school?

Carol (nods):
Good guess.

Mark:
I guess I should be glad Rachel just listens to Hanson, huh?

Carol (rolls her eyes):
Well, at least they're safe...

Everything is quickly shifted to a woman rushing into the clinic in a panic.

Woman (shouting frantically):
I need a doctor! Please hurry!

Doug and Carter both react quickly and follow the woman out the door of the center. Mark and Carol stay behind and read a table for whatever they are bringing back in with them. Follow Carter and Doug into the street with this woman. She leads them to a gang of boys who are still fighting in the middle of the street and turns their attention to a boy slumped on the ground and leaning against a wall, bleeding badly from a wound in his side. Doug goes to the patient, a boy about 12, 13 years old, while Carter starts to step into the street. Doug pulls him back quickly.

Doug (sternly):
No, Carter, don't! You could get yourself killed!

Carter (looks over his shoulder as he goes with Doug):
Shouldn't we stop them?

Doug (shakes his head):
That's the job of the police...our job is to patch them up.
(turns to the boy)
Where are you hurt, Son?

Boy (belligerently):
Go to hell...I don't need your help...

Doug (picks the boys up to carry him):
Son, you haven't lived long enough to tell me to go to hell...and if you say it again, you might not live much longer.
(to the woman)
You his mother?

Woman (nods, frantically):
Yes.

Doug (motions her to follow him with a tick of his head):
Then come with us, please?

Doug carries the boy, kicking and screaming as they go, back to the center and takes him directly to the exam table. The boy is still protesting.

Boy:
Listen, I don't want your charity...

Doug (gruffly):
Listen, if you don't shut up, you're going to get more than charity out of me!

Mark and Carter exchange careful glances. Carol stands back away from the table and close to the mother, who is watching with a fearful expression. Doug carefully pushes on the boy's bleeding side.

Doug (shortly):
That hurt?

Boy (bolting):
OW! Yes, that hurts, damn it! What do YOU think?

Doug (ignores his remark):
Mark, can you give me a hand over here? Please?

Mark steps over and the two of them together start cleaning the wound, still over protests. Carol turns her attention to the mother.

Carol (softly):
I'm Nurse Hathaway...what's your name?

Woman:
Gomez...Angelina Gomez.

Carol (starts writing on a file):
And what's your son's name?

Woman:
Richie...

Boy (snaps at her):
Hey! I told you that's a baby name! My name is RoadBlock now...

Woman (angrily):
That's not a name! That's something they put in the road for cars to run over! And that's what the other gangs do to you! Those boys put you out front to take the heat so they don't get hurt! I don't know why you don't see that, Richie!

Boy:
Shut up! You don't know nothin!

Carter (taken aback...looks at Doug):
Shouldn't you do something?

Doug (shakes his head, continues to work on the boy):
Not my place, Carter...all I do is patch them up. He doesn't have anymore respect for the woman who gave him life than that, I can't do anything about it.

Doug gives the boy a look, which the boy returns with a smirk. While he works on him, Doug just makes idle conversation.

Doug:
So, how old are you RoadBlock? Twelve? Thirteen?

Boys (snarls):
What's it to you?

Doug:
We need it for your files...I guess I could probably just call the police station and find out, huh?

Boy:
Is that a crack?

Doug:
You figure it out, Smart Boy.
(secures the patch on his patient's side)
OK...all done.

Boy (jumps off the table):
Good...I'm out of this hell hole.

The boy pushes past his mother and goes on out the door of the center without another word. The woman gives the medical team and apologetic look.

Woman:
Thank you...my son...he hasn't been the same since my husband left...he's not a bad boy...he's just a little misplaced.

Doug (nods with a soft look):
I understand.

Woman:
I hope the next time he will just be able to come back here...and not the morgue.

She turns away sadly and leaves the clinic. Doug and Carol give each other a solemn look.

Doug (promising):
I will talk to Scott tonight...I promise.

Carol nods and slips away to work on the file. Mark steps over closer to Doug as they work to clean up from their trauma work.

Mark:
You're not worried that just because Scott is listening to gangsta rap music he's going to end up like that kid, are you?

Doug (ticks his head):
Maybe not directly, no.

Mark (emphatically):
I'm a firm believer in that music does NOT influence a healthy mind...and your son has a healthy mind.

Doug:
I don't know what's going on with him all the sudden Mark. I mean, he wants to wear his pants down to his knees and he wants to get his ear pierced and he wants to listen to this rap crap music...where did all this come from overnight?

Mark:
Maybe it didn't come over night. Maybe it came little at a time and you just didn't notice it because you were too busy with other things.

Doug:
So, you're saying what's going on with Scott is my fault?

Mark:
You use that word 'fault' too easily, Doug. I don't think that's the word you're looking for. Maybe Scott is just testing you...kids do that sometimes, too.

Doug (trying to understand):
Testing me?

Mark:
Well, yeah, things have been pretty tenative between you and Scott for a while so you could both make adjustments. He pretty much knows now he's a permanent fixture in your life now. He doesn't need to be so careful now. Now, maybe he wants to see what you're made of.

Doug (confused):
You mean he's trying to get me to come down on him?

Mark (shrugs):
Maybe.

Doug (thinking):
Huh! I guess I never thought of that. So, what about you, Mark? With Rachel are you her father or her friend?

Mark (matter-of-factly):
Well, lately, I haven't been either one.
(both chuckle)
There are times to be both. You just have to figure that out.

Doug:
Carol said almost the same thing...

Mark:
Well, haven't you learned by now to listen to your wife?

Doug:
Ray was never my 'Dad', you know? He was just somebody who came and brought me presents and took me places...

Mark (nods):
A good time guy...your pal...

Doug (nods):
Yeah.

Mark (gives him a knowing look):
And, I thought you wanted a better relationship for you and Scott...

Doug (nods solemnly):
I do...and I'm going to work on that...

Mark (laughing):
He wants to get his ear pierced?

Doug (chuckles):
Yeah...I can't very well say 'no' to that...I had mine pierced when I was in college!

Mark (looks carefully at Doug's ears):
You did?

Doug (tugs on his ear):
Yeah, sure did! I could probably get an earring through it again if I wanted to.

Mark (looks closely):
Well, I'll be damned...I never even noticed that before! Why'd you take it out?

Doug (shrugs):
I don't know...I think I decided it just wasn't me!

Mark goes off chuckling to himself. Doug gets the last of the things picked up and goes to get a clean scrub top. Carol follows him.

Carol (quietly):
Hey, I didn't mean to make you think you were a bad father earlier today...you know that, don't you?

Doug (smiles):
Yeah, I know that. I'm sorry I yelled at you, too. I was just so frustrated having to go down to the school like that.

Carol:
Did you get to see Scott?

Doug (nods):
Yeah, but, his attitude was way out of line. I don't know what's going on with him...Mark thinks he might be testing me. I guess I need to be real careful how I handle this whole thing or I could blow it completely.

Carol:
I was thinking...maybe you could let him come down here for a day...

Doug (confused):
Come down here? Why? You think we need to spend more time together?

Carol:
Well, no, I was just thinking that maybe if he could see the effects of gang life he might not be so interested in it anymore.

Doug (nods in a agreement):
OK, but, what if he's not really interested in it? I mean, just because he's listening to gansta rap music doesn't mean he's wanting to go out and join a gang.

Carol:
I know, but, it still might help.

Doug (nods again):
I'll think about that...I'll know more after I talk to him.

Carol:
What was this I heard about an ear piercing?

Doug (chuckles):
He didn't mention that to you?

Carol:
I thought he was kidding...

Doug:
I guess we'll find out more about that, too, huh?

Doug looks up as another patient bangs into the clinic. Carol ad libs something to the effect of 'God, I didn't know we asked for this when we got kids' as she goes to help the doctors.

Fade Act Two To Black.

Act Three

Scene opens with the staff breaking up for the day and preparing to leave the Center.

Eleanor:
Will you be needing me again next week, Dr. Ross? My temporary time will be over tomorrow.

Doug:
Actually, Eleanor, we were hoping to keep you around a while longer...Dr. Morganstern will talk to you about that tomorrow...will that be OK?

Eleanor (smiles):
Yes, very good! Thank you, Dr. Ross!
(she goes on out the staff door, very happy)

Doug (nonchalantly, turns to Mark):
You did say for sure that Cynthia wasn't coming back, right?

Mark (nods):
Right.

Doug (mumbles...twinkle in his eye):
Good.

Mark (coaxing):
You say something, Doug?

Doug (shakes his head...grins at Mark):
Nope! Not a word!
(pause)
Hey, Mark, thanks for coming in today. I know you didn't have to, and I really did appreciate you being here, even if I didn't bother to say it...

Mark (teases him):
Oh, well, you didn't bother to say it, that's for sure!
(lets him off the hook)
But, it's OK. I understand about having problems with your kids.

Doug (winces):
Yeah...now I gotta go home and talk to Scott...something else I'm not looking forward to!

Mark (slaps him on the back)
Well, good luck...'Dad'!

Doug rolls his eyes and fishes his keys out of his pocked. Carol meets him at the back door and he grabs his jacket on the way out, tugging into it as they head for the car. He goes around to the passenger's side and opens the door for Carol, waits until she is in, and closes the door. Then he goes around and gets in on the drivers side.

Doug (quietly):
What am I going to say to him?

Carol:
What do you want to say to him?

Doug (shakes his head):
I honestly don't know. I just want to know what's going on with him.

Carol (smiles):
Then ask him that...and go from there. He's not a bad kid, Doug...he's just growing up.

Doug (nods):
Yeah...I know...

Doug starts the car...follow it as he drives it off the lot and into traffic.

Cut to show time lapse of Doug and Carol arriving home. They come into the house and Tatiana runs through the hallway to greet them.

Tatiana (happily):
You're Home! Yay!

Doug (laughing):
Hi, Punkin!
(she jumps into his arms and he scoops her off the floor)
Do me a big favor, OK? And go tell your brother I need to talk to him.

Helen (coming into the hallway to greet them):
Well, I thought you picked him up on your way home?

Doug (gives her a confused look):
What?

Helen:
Well, he went with Treavor and some other boys...

Doug puts Tatiana on the floor and fishes out his keys again with a perplexed look on his face. Helen becomes flustered now that something is wrong.

Helen:
I'm sorry, Doug, he told me you knew...

Doug (shakes his head):
Oh no....he was supposed to come home after school and wait for me to get here! Do you know where they were going?

Helen:
They said something about going down the arcade...

Doug starts back out the door but Carol grabs him back quickly.

Carol (grabs Doug by the arm):
Doug, wait! Let me go! I don't want you to go as angry as you are right now!

Doug:
I'm not angry...not YET anyway...wait until I SEE him in the arcade where he's not supposed to be...THEN I'll be angry.

Carol (reaches for the keys):
All the same, I think you better let me go get him. Give me the keys, Doug.
(Doug does not hand the keys over and she extends her hand again)
Give me the keys!

Reluctantly, he hands the keys over to her and she goes out the door. Doug turns around to face a sad faced Tatiana and an apologetic Helen.

Helen:
Doug, I am so sorry...

Doug (smiles at her, hangs up his jacket):
Not your fault, Helen. You didn't know. You wouldn't have any reason not to believe what he told you...but you do now.

Helen:
I think that Treavor boy is a bad influence on him, Doug. That boy has no supervision...no one cares what he does...

Doug:
That may be true, but, Scott knows I DO care...and he knows what I told him...and he deliberately went against that.

Helen (smiles slightly):
I suppose you did everything your mother told you to when you were Scott's age.

Doug (thinking...chuckles):
Huh...if my Mother knew half the things I did when I was Scott's age...
(Helen nods with a satisfied smile)

Helen:
Come on...I'll get you some coffee and you can cool off while you wait for Carol to come back.

Tatiana goes with them into the kitchen. Helen has coffee, Tatiana has milk, and Doug has beer to drink and they all sit down together.

Tatiana:
So, does this mean I'm your favorite child now?

Doug (grins at her):
Yes, you are my favorite child right now.

Tatiana:
Am I still gonna be your favorite after the baby gets here?

Doug closes his eyes and waits for the explosion from Helen. She gives him a shocked and surprised look from across the table.

Helen:
Is she telling me I'm going to be a Grandmother?

Doug (sighs):
Well, you know the way news travels, Helen...telephone, telegram, Tell Tatchie!
(he winks at Tatchie)
We didn't want to say anything until after the first ultrasound, which is tomorrow, but, yes, Carol is pregnant.

Helen (hand to her heart in surprise, shock, and happiness):
And you're sure? You're really sure?

Doug (nods with a soft smile):
We're sure.
(Helen reaches across the table and hugs him quickly)
Please let her tell you about it, though, OK?

Helen (nods):
Oh, absolutely!

Doug (quietly...tickles Tatiana):
Come here, Big Mouth!
(Puts her up on his lap)
Do you know who has the biggest mouth in the whole world next to you?

Tatiana (proudly, nods with a smile):
Yep...Nobody!

Doug (nods):
Nobody...that would be right.

Tatiana (suddenly serious):
Papa, can I ask you about something?

Doug:
Sure...you can ask me anything because right now, you're the good child!

Tatiana:
When do I get to be a Ross?

Doug (confused):
Get to be a Ross?

Tatiana:
Everybody that lives in this house is a Ross...you're a Ross...Scott is a Ross...and this new baby will be a Ross...I'm the only 'not Ross' that lives in this house!

Doug:
Well, uh, your Mama doesn't use the name Ross professionally..

Helen (not helping him any):
No, but, on a personal basis, she is Mrs. Ross.

Doug (clears his throat):
Thank you, Helen.
(turns back to Tatiana)
So, you want to be a Ross, too, huh?
(Tatiana nods)
Well, I'll tell you what, I'll talk to your Mama about that and we'll see what we can do, OK?

Tatiana (doubtful):
Will you talk to her before or after you kill Scott?

Doug (laughs):
I'm not going to kill your brother!
(puts her down on the floor)
And I promise to talk to you Mama about it very soon, OK?

Tatiana (nods):
OK.

Satisfied now, she runs off someplace else away from Helen and Doug.

Helen (smiles at Doug):
Have I ever told you how good I think you are with the kids?

Doug (grins at her):
No, Helen, I don't think you ever have!

Helen (grins at him):
You really are very VERY good with them.

Doug (teases her):
Thanks, Helen...I know how hard that was for you.

Helen:
Al right, Doug...I may have misjudged you...but you have to admit, you didn't give me a very good first impression of you!

Doug (ducks his head):
I was younger then!

Helen (scoffs):
Yeah...a whole year or two, wasn't it!

Doug chuckles...Helen just smiles at him.

Cut across town to show several young boys gathered around a video game in an arcade game room. Show Carol come into the arcade, looking around. She spots Scott and walks slowly over to him, stopping quietly beside him. One of Scott's friends turns and sees her, and he gives Scott a careful and wincing look.

Boy:
Uh oh...busted!

Scott (turns to see Carol):
Mom! What are you doing here?

Carol (annoyed):
I might ask you the same thing? I thought your Dad told you to go home and wait for him...

Scott (starts trying to explain):
Well, he did, but...

Carol:
But, you figured you could come here and be home before he was...well...guess what? You figured wrong!
(she motions him out over her shoulder)
Move it, Mister.

Reluctantly, Scott follows Carol out of the arcade, through the parking lot, and to the car. They get in and sit there together before she starts the car.

Carol (quietly):
What's going on with you, Scotty? Why are you acting like this now?
(Scott shrugs, but, doesn't answer)
You're going to have to answer these same questions for your Dad...I thought you might want to test them on me first.

Scott:
I didn't do anything wrong!

Carol:
You didn't? Your Dad told you...

Scott:
I don't mean now, I mean to get him mad in the first place! So, he doesn't like the music I was listening to! That doesn't make it wrong does it?

Carol (shakes her head...smiles slightly):
No, that doesn't make it wrong. But, maybe your Dad is concerned that your interest in the music may extend into an interest in other things.

Scott (looks blankly out the window):
He hates the clothes I want to wear...he passed off the conversation about an earring...he hates the music...what's next? If I put up a heavy metal band poster in my room is he gonna hate that too? He used to be so cool...what happened?

Carol (sighs):
I got pregnant...that's what happened.

Scott:
What's that go to do with anything?

Carol (rolls her eyes):
That's got everything to do with everything. It's turned your father into an overprotective worry wart.
(Scott laugh)
And we're both going to have to put up with that out of him for a while!
(pause)
He's just concerned, Scotty. That's all. You need to talk to him and let him know what's going on with you.

Scott:
If he wants to know what's going on, why doesn't he try asking me?

Carol (nods):
Exactly...this is a two way street...you both need to communicate...a word that does not seem to exist in the vocabulary of Ross men...
(she starts the car)
...so I guess we need to work on that, huh?

Scott nods as they drive away. Show the car merging carefully out into traffic and fade Act Three to Black.

Act Four

Scene opens at the Ross/Hathaway home. Show Doug looking out the window to see Carol pulling up to the house. He debates meeting them at the door and decides against it. He does look up, however, to see Tatiana, in her PJs, with her face peering through the railing of the banisters watching. Doug gives her a stern motion with his thumb.

Doug (sternly):
Bed! Now!

Tatiana doesn't waste time getting away from the stairs and disappearing back out of view. Carol comes through the door with Scott following slowly behind her. He gives Doug a sheepish look as he comes through the door.

Doug (sharply):
Go to your room!

Scott (starts to explain):
Dad, I'm really sorry...

Doug (cuts him off):
Save it! You'll need it later. Right now I want to talk to Carol first...

Doug walks sharply away and into the living room. Carol touches Scott's shoulder and nods for him to just go on to his room. He trudges slowly up the steps and Carol goes to Doug, who is pacing the living room, still not fully calmed down from this whole situation.

Doug (quietly once she is in the room with him):
Was he at the arcade?

Carol (nods):
Yes.

Doug:
With his friends?

Carol (nods again):
Yes. They were playing video games...and that's ALL they were doing.

Doug (flustered):
What do I do here, Carol? I mean, OK, no he wasn't doing anything wrong, but, he was supposed to be at home...he lied to Helen and told her I knew where he was going...

Carol (nods):
I know...I know what you're saying...under normal circumstances, I would say he was in bounds. But, since you told him to be at home, I have to call 'foul'.
(Rubs Doug's shoulder comfortingly)
I know this isn't easy for you...do you want me to handle it?

Doug (shakes his head):
No, I don't. I think I should handle this. I have to grow up sometime.

Carol (smiles):
It doesn't have anything to do with growing up. When you were a kid, your Mother was the one who took care of you all the time, wasn't she?

Doug (scoffs):
That's different. My Dad was never around.

Carol:
And if he HAD been around?

Doug (chuckles slightly):
Huh...I don't know...I guess my Mom would still have taken care of me.

Carol:
My Dad WAS there and he never dealt with us kids...my Mom always took care of that. We've never really had to draw straws on this part of parenting before...now we're faced with it...

Doug:
Well, I thought we agreed parenting was supposed to be a double duty job.

Carol (nods):
We did.

Doug:
Well, then, you did your part...now I have to do mine.

Carol (carefully):
Just promise me you won't hit him.

Doug (soft smile):
I'm not going to hit him...why would you ever think that? I would never EVER hit one of our kids...I remember too well what that's like...

Carol (tries to smile at him):
Do you know we've never talked about that?

Doug (touches her shoulder):
There's a lot of things we never talked about Carol...one at a time, OK?
(sighs)
I guess I could threaten to send him to military school, huh?

Carol (laughs):
Did Sarah ever threaten you with that?

Doug (chuckles as he starts out of the room):
Every day of my life...

She nods and he goes out of the room and up the steps. When he gets to the second floor and starts for Scott's room, he sees Tatiana looking carefully out the door of her room. He gives her a stern look.

Doug:
Bed!

The little girl's eyes get wide with surprise and she closes the door quickly. He goes through the door and starts up the ramp to Scott's room now as the staircase is under construction. Before going into attic room, though, he knocks on a rafter above his head to alert Scott he is coming.

Scott (quietly):
Come on in, Dad.

Doug comes on up into Scott's room. The room is pretty much decorated now with sports posters and boy things all over. Scott is sitting on the edge of his bed, bouncing a nerf basketball off the wall across from him, but he stops it when Doug comes up. Doug pulls a chair from Scott's desk around to sit in front of his son for them to talk.

Doug:
OK...let's have it...what's your story?
(Scott doesn't really look at him...just shrugs his shoulders)
You knew I told you to come home after school and wait here for me, didn't you?
(Scott nods carefully)
But, you told your Grandmother I knew where you were when you went to the arcade, didn't you?
(Scott nods carefully again)
So, that would be a lie, then, wouldn't it?
(Again, Scott nods carefully)
So, why did you lie?

Scott:
I guess I thought I could go and be back before you got home.

Doug;
And you figured if that happened I would never know you deliberately disobeyed me?
(Scott shrugs)
You didn't figure your Grandmother would tell me anyway?

Scott (shrugs):
I don't know. I didn't think it mattered. You hate everything I do now anyway.

Doug (quickly):
That's not true. I don't hate everything you do...

Scott:
Yes, you do. You hate my clothes...you hate my hair...you hate my clothes...you hate my friends...you hate everything! All you care about is Carol and this stupid baby that's coming! You don't care about Tatchie or me anymore...

Doug (cuts him off):
That's not true! And you know it! You and Tatchie are every bit as important to me as that baby Carol is carrying and you know it! Don't you dare EVER make an accusation like that...not even if you're kidding!
(Scott ducks his head sheepishly)
Now, one thing at a time...let's start with your hair...when did I say I hated your hair?

Scott:
You didn't say you hated it, but, remember when I came home from Treavor's that day with it all spiked on top? You almost freaked out!

Doug:
Well, it was a little bit of a shock to my system! I wasn't properly prepared for that. But, Scott, it's your hair. You can wear it however you want to. I don't have to like it, but, I'm not going to tell you how to wear it. Do you want to wear it all spiked up like that?

Scott:
No, but, if I did, I just want to know that it would be OK.

Doug (grins):
I wouldn't be 'ok'...but we wouldn't stop you either. Just give us a little warning the next time, OK?

Scott (nods):
OK.

Doug:
Ok, next subject...when did I ever say I hated your friends?

Scott:
You hate Treavor...and he's my BEST friend.

Doug:
I don't hate Treavor. I hardly know the kid. But, there ARE some things about him that bother me. He doesn't have very good adult supervision at home, and, for that reason, I would prefer you didn't spend much time there with him. But, Treavor is always welcome here.

Scott (scoffs):
Tell that to Grandma Helen.

Doug (assures him):
I will. I'm aware of the fact that your Grandmother isn't too fond of Treavor, but, until I have reason to think otherwise, he's OK with Carol and me. And he is welcome here anytime. OK?

Scott (nods):
OK.

Doug:
OK...issue #3...your clothes...now I know I did kind of freak out when you wanted to wear gansta style clothes. And you just have to overlook my feelings on that, Son. I see the results of gang violence all day long. I don't want to think about seeing my son in the same position I had a thirteen year old kid in today.

Scott (defensively):
Dad, just because I wear the clothes doesn't mean I'm going to join a gang! I would never join a gang! That would be dumb!

Doug (nods):
I know that...but there are just some things I have problems with and that's one of them.
(sighs)
But, I guess if you want to wear that stuff around your friends, it's OK. Just not when the family goes out together. Is that a deal?

Scott (nods):
Yeah, that would be cool.

Doug:
Now, about this music you got caught with at school today...that is one place I draw the line. I don't want you listening to music that talks about killing cops, bucking authority, and using language I won't even use! That just really bothers me. Why would you want to listen to that?
(Scott shrugs)
You think it makes you 'cool'?
(Scott shrugs again)
Doug (continues):
Let me tell you what 'cool' is, OK? 'Cool' is knowing who you are and who your friends are...'cool' is liking people because of who they are and what they are...not what they are 'into'. If all your friends jumped into Lake Michigan, would you go with them?

Scott (grins):
That depends, Dad...

Doug (careful tone):
Depends on what?

Scott (laughing):
On whether it's summer or winter!
(Doug Chuckles with him)
I know what you're saying, Dad. It's cool.

Doug:
Seriously, Scott, just be yourself. Don't be something you're not just to go along with the crowd. Don't be afraid to be your own person. You'll get further in life that way.

Scott:
Like you? You don't do things the way everybody else does.

Doug:
No, but, I try to stay within the rules.
(softens his tone, smiles at Scott)
And that's all I'm asking out of you. That, and talk to me about things. Don't store it all up like this, OK?

Scott (nods):
Yeah, I know. I'm sorry I gave you such a hard time.

Doug:
I'm really going to need your help over the next few months, Buddy. I'm counting on you to give me a hand with Carol and Tatiana, too.

Scott:
I won't let you down, Dad. I promise.

Doug (climbs off the chair):
Well, you're not getting the tapes back. Whoever they belong to, they're gone completely. For this episode, you're grounded for a week.
(Scott nods solemnly)
Go to bed, OK?

Scott nods, and stays sitting on the bed as he leaves. Just as Doug starts back down the steps, he looks up at Scott ad smiles.

Doug:
Hey, Sport?

Scott (looks up):
Yeah, Dad?

Doug (winks at him):
I love you, Bud.

Scott (nods with a grin):
Yeah, I know...I love you, too.

Doug goes down out of the attic and starts for the steps, pausing briefly to check and see if Tatiana is peeking out at him again. She's not. He chuckles to himself as he goes down and joins Carol sitting on the sofa.

Carol (rubs his shoulders gently):
Everything OK?

Doug (nods):
I think so...for now.

Carol:
Now, that wasn't so bad, was it?

Doug (sighs):
No, but, I have a feeling it's only a hint of things to come.
(reaches over and places his hand on her stomach)
Will this one be that much trouble, too?

Carol (smiles, pats his hand):
Oh, I'm sure she will be...eventually.

Doug (gives her a sarcastic look):
She? What makes you think it's going to be a girl?

Carol (shrugs):
Just a feeling I have.
(Looks at him and smiles)
Would that be terrible?

Doug:
No, but, there's something else we need to talk about. Tatiana told me today she was the only 'not Ross' that lived in this house...and you know what? She's right. And I think she's going to realize that even more after the baby comes. I think I need to look into adopting her if that's OK with you.

Carol (delighted):
IF it's OK with me? Of COURSE it's OK with me!

Doug (shrugs):
Well, I know we never talked about it before. To tell the truth, I never thought much about it until she mentioned it. I didn't know it bothered her.

Carol (snickering):
The only 'not Ross'?

Doug (chuckles):
That's exactly how she said it.

The two of them just start laughing together and fade Act Four to Black.

Closing Act

Scene opens at the Ross/Hathaway home, interior. Mark and Doug are working in the nursery, painting. Show Tatiana is helping them. She has yellow paint in her hair and on her clothes and painting the wall in front of her with a wide brush. Doug comes up behind her and moves her hand up and down on the wall.

Doug (helpfully):
No, Sweetie, like this...
(shows her...she copies him)
That's it...that's better!

Mark is painting around the window frame with soft green paint while Doug stands in the middle of the room looking around at what they've already done so far.

Mark (quietly):
So, how did the ultrasound go yesterday?

Tatiana (cheerfully):
Mama's having a turtle!

Mark (laughing):
A turtle?

Doug (chuckles):
That's what she thinks the baby looked like when we showed her the picture...I told her it'll look different the next time!
(nods):
It went really well...the baby is fine...everything is normal.

Mark:
You feel better about that, now?

Doug (sighs):
I don't think I'll feel better until it gets here...and then, it's a whole NEW set of worries...it just never ends, does it?

Mark (shakes his head):
Nope...being a parent is a lifetime commitment. You're in for the long haul!
(pause)
You get things worked out with Scott?

Doug (nods):
Yeah, we had a good talk.

Mark:
I kind of figured he'd be in here helping us.

Doug:
He will when he gets back. This was a day Carol set aside for the two of them and I didn't take that away from him. They'll be back shortly.

Mark:
You guys set aside a day?

Doug (nods):
One day a month...there's a day I take him and a day she takes him and there's a day we each give to Tatchie alone as well.

Mark (nods):
I admire your dedication.

Doug (shrugs):
We try.

Carol (suddenly calling through the house):
Hey! Anybody home?!

Doug (calls out):
We're in the nursery!

Cut down to show Carol and Scott at the bottom of the steps and starting up there. Scott is wearing a ball cap and walking slowly behind her. She reaches back and pulls him by the arm.

Carol (laughing):
Come ON! What's he gonna say now?
(Scott shrugs)
I told you, it's OK.

Show the two of them coming up and into the nursery. Carol is carrying a bag in her hands. She takes one look at Tatiana practically covered with paint and zeroes in on Doug.

Carol:
Weren't you watching her?

Doug (scoffs):
Don't worry...it's kids room latex paint...cleans up with soap and water...all she needs in a bath and a shampoo.
(turns to Scott)
Hey, Sport! Want to help us?

Scott (quietly):
Sure, Dad...just let me go change clothes, OK?

He turns quickly and starts out of the room, but Carol grabs him at the door and spins him back into the room.

Carol:
Wasn't there something you wanted to show your Dad, Scott?
(Scott gives her a sheepish look)
Remember what I told you...if you're going to be ashamed of it...

Scott (quickly):
I'm not ashamed...I just don't want him to blow up again!

Doug (sarcastically):
I promise to control the Mount St. Helen impersonation...what's going on?

Scott takes off his ballcap and directs Doug's attention to a zircon stud earring in his left ear.

Scott (shows him his ear):
This.

Doug (looks at the earring and nods with a smile):
Pretty sharp...did it hurt?

Scott (shrugs):
A little.

Doug (winks at Carol):
Your Mom bought that for you?

Scott (nods):
Yeah.

Doug (nods):
I think it looks cool.

Scott (delighted...brightly):
You do?

Doug (nods):
Yeah! I really do! Now, go change clothes and give us a hand here, OK?

Scott (starts away quickly):
Yes, sir!

He exits quickly and Doug turns to Carol with a chuckle and a smile.

Carol (offering):
I overheard you telling Mark about having an earring in college...I figured it would be something you two would have in common for a change. He's old enough to take care of it. (Doug gives her a careful nod)
It'll be OK.

Doug (teases her):
You always eavesdrop on my conversations with Mark?

Carol (teases him right back):
How else do you think I'm going to find out anything that's going on with you?

Doug (winces):
Ouch! I can take a hint.

Carol (hands him the bag she was carrying):
Well, here...this is for you...this is the border for the room.

Doug (nods, sighs):
Oh, yeah, the Muppet Babies...

He reaches into the bag and pulls out the border, but, instead of the Muppet Babies he is expecting, it is a border of yellow and green Teddy Bears. His eyes show surprise when he sees it.

Doug:
I thought you wanted Muppet Babies?

Carol:
Well, I did, but, this was the same color as the room, and besides, I think you should get at least SOMEthing you want, and you wanted the Teddy Bears. It's OK.

Doug (wraps his arms around Carol, looks at Mark):
Is she something else? Or what?

Mark (chuckles):
I'd say she's something else.

Show Scott coming in, changed into old clothes, and Carol starting to direct everybody where to work in the room and fade into the end credits of the show.

December 7, 1997